Hollywood Zenith

" You know I don't like that cheeky smile of yours." Stephen added.

" I feel the same way but I guess I got what I needed. Now if you excuse me, I have to find my date." Samuel started walking away.

" Wait! I am coming with you." Darren was also curious why Samuel was suddenly interested in someone else. He had known him for many years and knew Samuel wouldn't inquire things for nothing.

" Keep yourself out of trouble. See you after the holidays." Stephen said to which Samuel just waved his hand, he didn't even look back which made him to believe he was asking something impossible. Samuel not getting into trouble? His middle name was menace!

" Hey what's going on?" Darren began asking question as soon as they were alone.

" I will tell you later. First let me find Emma- forget it I already know where they are. Follow me." Samuel quickly led him toward a obscure room beside the reception area. There were few people guarding the door but as soon as they saw Samuel, they made way for him.

It seemed like Emma was sensible enough to ask the organizers to assign few people for them. With how important she was for the party, it was only necessary for them oblige to her request.

Samuel headed inside and saw, Emma and Kate sitting side by side. Emma was trying to console her while Kate was hugging her knees, burying her head between them.

" Sami!" Emma exclaimed as soon as she saw him. She briskly walked toward him and whispered," Did you teach them a lesson?" Kate only glanced for a moment before going back to her original position.

" Not fully, did she said something?"

" No, she is not talking at all. What really happened between them? I have never seen someone be so scared. Do you know anything?" She asked.

" Why are you guys whispering? I am sure this room is not big enough that she doesn't hear you." Darren put his face between them and said normally.

It was true, the room seemed to be utility room where excess furniture and other necessities were stored. Other than faint music from the hall, their sounds were almost reverberating.

" He is right. Kate? Kate?" Samuel called for her but she wasn't moving.

" You guys should join the party. I will take her home because I don't think it's good for her to be out here."

" Why? Is that person still here?" She asked.

" I don't think so. I mean he need urgent medical attention if he wished to keep his fingers that I broke. That's the best I could do without attracting unwanted attention."

" You are so cool!" She gave him two thumbs up meanwhile Darren didn't understand when his girlfriend took pleasure in others misery but he also had faith in Samuel to not hurt anyone that was innocent.

" Come on, let's go. We should give them some space." he asked Emma.

" Right, we should meet up in later date to have dinner or something." She wanted to say it to Emma but Emma never opened her mouth while she consoled her earlier. She thought it was better to leave her alone for now. She knew she would get many chance to meet her and ask what really happened earlier.

Both said goodbyes to Kate and left leaving just Samuel and her alone in the tiny room. Samuel walked toward her and said," Hey, I am sorry for leaving you alone. I never knew-"

" It's alright. I don't blame you." She said softly but still didn't lift her head.

" You wanna go home? We could so stop for dinner since you didn't have any food."

"Hmmm..." It was neither yes nor no, Samuel knew if she kept being scared it would only be detrimental if she did face the similar situation in the future. He needed to find a way to expulse the darkness in her heart but he needed to come up with a plan for it. For now there was only one thing he could do.

" W-what?" She exclaimed. Samuel, without any notice, lifted her up in his arms and began carrying her like a princess.

" Just keep your head down. I will get us out of here."

" I can walk. You don't have to-"

" Shhh...it's not everyday I get to show you off. Just follow my lead." He began to walk outside.

Everyone began to stare at him and Kate who was hiding her face in his chest and using her hair for extra measure. Normally she would be happy but her make was ruined, even without looking in the mirror she knew she looked like a mess. It would only fuel everyone's curiosity what they were doing alone in the room!

When he reached the elevator few kind people pressed the button when he told them they were going downstair. Samuel only smiled but they were so embarrassed that they let him use the elevator alone and waited for the next one.

Steve was already waiting downstairs with his men, he was aware of what happened at the party. Knocking people out just with his eyes was something he thought he would never hear about. The guards were Samuel's fanatical fan so it was not out of the ordinary for them to exaggerate things.

" Is the car ready?"

" Yes. I asked the driver to park it at the back." Steve was sensible enough to arrange for a passage through which no paparazzi would be able to take pictures. Since they were not allowed inside the building, it was best for them to sneak out from the back without them noticing.

" Good, I will drive it myself."

Steve held the door open for him as he slid Kate in the front seat before leaving he asked Steve to find out more about the man and have Jane investigate everything about him and his family. He didn't let Kate hear it because he didn't know if she would be okay with what he was about to do to him.

" Will you come home tonight or?" Steve was only asking it because he could see how anxious Kate was. He didn't know much about her since he just got here after the mission but he knew his boss had spend couple of nights at her place.

What was wrong with her and why did she tensed up meeting that man? he didn't know. It was not his job but he knew at least that man wouldn't have a fun future after angering Samuel.

" I don't know."

" Alright, I will send few people to at least protect the place if you do decided to stay the night."

" Hmm.." Samuel nodded and got inside the car. He looked at Kate who still refused to face him. It was hard for him to guess what she was thinking about but he could at least feel that she was not anxious anymore. there was slight anger and coldness but predominantly she was feeling embarrassed. It was puzzling but he didn't ask her about it.

While driving, he tried to initiate small talk but she refrained from answering him only humming or giving him one word answer. It's like she was frightened to even look at his face. Seeing it was going nowhere, he swirled the car and stopped at the side of the road.

" Kate look at me. Kate!" Samuel grabbed her chin and made her face him.

" What's going on? Is there something you are not telling me?"

" I..I don't know. I don't want to talk about it." She flat out refused him. He stared at her for a few second before asking," How is your hand? We can swing by a hospital-"

" I am fine. It's just a scratch." She clenched his fist. Emma did tied both her palms with cloths, Samuel couldn't see the extent of damage. He did take a brief look at it but at that time her hand was covered in blood.

" Fine." Samuel sighed and began driving. He didn't want to push her and thought it was best for her to collect her thought for some time before he pressed her why she refused to face him.

He swiftly drove toward her place which was half an hour away from the venue. He didn't try to say anything only glancing at her from time to time always catching her looking at him sneakily. She would shy away everytime their eyes met which he found a little strange.

As soon as they reached her gate, she hopped out. He expected to open the door for her and even thought how he was going to drag her inside but suddenly she had this raw energy, darting straight toward her door.

He shook his head and parked the car before entering the house. He could hear Bella's voice who was questioning why she was back so early. They never gave her the plan but Samuel did mention about the after party. He readied himself before entering only to see Kate shutting the door right on Bella's face!